Sweet Honey of Failure.


Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that a spring was breaking
out in my heart.
I said: Along which secret aqueduct,
Oh water, are you coming to me,
water of a new life
that I have never drunk?

Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures.

Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that a fiery sun was giving
light inside my heart.
It was fiery because I felt
warmth as from a hearth,
and sun because it gave light
and brought tears to my eyes.

Last night as I slept,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that it was God I had
here inside my heart.


― Antonio Machado
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The End of The Portland Yoga Studio.

The cozy Portland Yoga Studio closed suddenly this week. It has been difficult for all involved, students and teachers. As an optimist I look to the future and can only imagine that this end makes it possible for fantastic new beginnings. Roll with the transition.

With most classes halfway filled to capacity, some overflowing with students, the community seemed thriving. In recent weeks, teachers watched their flat fee wage increase to a per student rate, there was talk of painting the studio, workshops were being scheduled. Most teachers, me included, depended on their classes as a significant portion of their income.

PYS offered affordable yoga to local teachers, social workers, massage therapists and other caregivers in the neighborhood. In this tough economy I loved both our low rates, and the fact that our studio wasn't "stealing" clientele from other studios. Although SE Portland is pretty saturated below fiftieth, Montavilla has no other studios. Being close to 82nd Ave, the very idea of wellness seemed a monumental shift toward revitalization of the neighborhood.

Students at PYS meant a lot to me. Three classes a week for almost two years! I have watched several students' bellies grow with pregnancy, developed friendships, shared a love of music together. I developed more confidence as a teacher through students' thoughtful questions. I learned to trust the fact that one person can make a difference in the world.

Thanks PYS, you will be missed!

Love, light and yoga in 2012.

Fawn
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Announcements & News November 2011

New class! Starting November 22, I will be leading a weekly Gentle Yoga class every Tuesday afternoon at 4pm-5:15pm at a brand new studio called Shine on NW 23rd & Westover.

In July I started working as the Development Coordinator with Living Yoga, a local nonprofit bringing yoga into prisons, recovery centers and other places where people are working hard to make healthy changes in their lives. Check out this inspiring video of one of our previously incarcerated students who practiced yoga at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.

Classes at The Old Church are on hiatus until spring 2012. I am no longer teaching classes at Yoga on Yamhill Wednesday mornings-- Living Yoga needs me in the office! Classes M/W at The Portland Yoga Studio, and classes Tues/Thur/Fri at PNCA continue!

I hope to see you in class soon!

Love,

Fawn
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